|
Dear NPR Guy:
You probably don’t remember me. In fact, I’m actually kind of hoping that’s the case. But in the unlikely event that you do recall our meeting, I’d like to take this opportunity to clear something up.
We met briefly at the DNC Marketplace in Denver, on the Sunday immediately preceding the official opening of the DNC. You were friendly and chatty as you looked at our merchandise. We were having just the nicest conversation when you suddenly produced a microphone and asked for an interview. Now, to be perfectly fair you had no way of knowing that my proximity to those particular devices causes a reaction clinically known as blithering. I ask you, sir, to give me this opportunity to answer your question with a slightly higher degree of coherence, especially since the subject matter is of some importance to me.
Right before my brain dribbled out my left ear upon seeing the microphone, I believe I heard you ask me to explain how we came to design our donkey logo. Had the microphone not been present, this is how I would have answered:
In early 2007 we were tasked with creating a logo for a local Democratic organization. Our efforts were energized by the happy outcome of the 2006 elections. That said, we live in a part of the country that traditionally votes Republican, and those folks weren’t nearly as pleased with that election as we were. So, the vitriol that had escalated during the campaigns did not abate post-election; it became commonplace in conversation and local blogs and newspapers.
It seemed that a good portion of every day was spent dealing with the insinuations and innuendos and sometimes outright accusations that Democrats are in league with enemies of our country; that at best we are unpatriotic because we don’t strut around dripping flag pins, that at worst we are outright traitors because we presume to question our leaders. The weariness came from constant efforts to correct the misimpressions of those who learned from the shining intellects on the radio that liberals and progressives are far more insidious and therefore sometimes more dangerous than Al Qaeda. It came from repeatedly denying the many gracious invitations to exit the country so that “real” Americans could enjoy it.
And it was during that period of growing exhaustion that our little donkey arrived in the middle of the night; we had designed and redesigned, tweaked and discarded a number of possibilities, saving some for other opportunities. But this critter just trotted into my subconscious and woke me up, demanding that I find pencil and paper and sketch his likeness without waiting for me to find my glasses. When morning arrived, I found that sketch and smiled. After redrawing it with my glasses on, I emailed it to my collaborator. She smiled, too.
For us this little donkey helps to reclaim our portion of the American landscape. It reminds us that we couldn’t be Democrats without first being Americans. His stars are embedded in the same blue field that anchors the stripes that form his legs. His snappy kick reinforces our determination to be proud of who we are.
Our local office is delighted with a version of him in their new logo. One of the officers took one look and dubbed him “Kickass,” and that he remains. He had his debut at our state convention in May; one of that arena’s housekeeping staff stopped by our display each time she went by, pointing at our critter and pumping her fist in the air to her chant of “kicking ass for the working class!” It seems he is well named.
And that, Mr. NPR Guy, is what I would have told you if you’d left that dang microphone in your briefcase. But you were very nice, and should we ever meet again I’d like to make it up to you by buying you a cup of coffee. Okay?
Very truly yours,
Madamesilverspurs
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
